The free class is open to dancers and dance enthusiasts ages 11 to adult. No experience is necessary. Students will learn expressive, rhythmic and creative Spanish dances to live music from the Danza Española musicians. Students are asked to wear comfortable clothing and hard-soled shoes. To register, call (507) 453-5500.

Guest artist Deborah Elias is a member of the Minnesota State Arts Board’s juried Arts in Education Roster of Artists, and has taught at Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre and School, the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts, and the University of Minnesota. She also performs and choreographs with Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre. She recently presented, in conjunction with the Winona Public Library, The Moon’s Desire, a collaboration that revolved around the work of Spanish poet Federico Garcia Lorća.

Flamenco is an exciting and energetic art form from southern Spain that embodies rich cultural influences of the Andalusian, Gypsy, Islamic and Sephardic cultures that have lived there through history. The dancer’s rhythmic footwork, graceful arm and hand movements, and hand clapping are accompanied by the powerful strumming and soulful chords of the guitar to express a wide variety of styles, or palos, from the most serious cante jondo, to the light-hearted cante chico.

This activity is made possible in part by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board, through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature from the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

WINONA, Minn. — The following students were named to the first semester, 2011-12 dean’s list at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. The list includes undergraduate students who earned a grade point average of 3.60 or better on a 4.0 scale.

WINONA, Minn. — The following Winona-area students were named to the first semester 2011-12 dean’s list at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. The dean’s list includes 354 undergraduate students who earned a grade point average of 3.60 or better on a 4.0 scale.

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University men’s basketball team is joining with team alumnus Ryan Wockenfus ’11 in a fundraising effort to help fight spina bifida.

On May 19, Wockenfus, a current member of the SMU Admission staff in Winona, will be participating in the upcoming “Tough Mudder,” a hardcore, 10-12 mile obstacle course designed by British Special Forces to test athletes’ all-around strength, stamina, mental grit and camaraderie.

The grueling event will take place in Somerset, Wis., and Wockenfus — whose younger sister, Kaley, was born with spina bifida in 1991 — will be a part of “Team Spina Bifida.”

“This is our chance to support my younger sister, along with all other individuals and families who have been affected by spina bifida,” said Wockenfus, a four-year member of both the SMU men’s basketball and track and field teams.

While Wockenfus will be tackling the “Tough Mudder” — and its underground mud tunnels, fire, ice-water, 12-foot walls and 10,000 volts of electricity — the Cardinal men’s basketball team will be doing its part during their Feb. 4 game against Macalester, beginning at 3 p.m.

The Cardinals will be soliciting pledges based on the Cardinals’ performance against the Scots in the “hustle areas” — offensive rebounds, assists, steals and drawing offensive fouls. (For example, if you pledge 10 cents, and the Cardinals total 11 offensive rebounds, 12 assists and four steals, you would donate $2.70.)

For more information, or to make a pledge, contact SMU men’s basketball coaches Todd Landrum (tlandrum@smumn.edu) or Kevin Landrum (klandrum@smumn.edu) or Ryan Wockenfus (rwockenf@smumn.edu). Pledges will also be accepted any time prior to the game on Feb. 4.

The Cardinals’ support of Wockenfus and his cause is the latest in a long line of partnerships for the men’s basketball team. In 2009, SMU teamed up with the Jimmy V Foundation for cancer awareness; in 2010, they joined forces with SMU alum Suzanne Deranek ’83 to help her make her $2,500 goal to participate in the three-day cancer walk; and last year they kicked off the Relay For Life event held on the SMU campus.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

WINONA, Minn. — Experience the excitement and beauty of authentic flamenco dance with Deborah Elias Danza Española Friday, Feb. 3, through Saint Mary’s University’s “Off the Page” Series. The show — which energetically blends together dance, guitar and song — will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 West 10th St.

Lead dancer Deborah Elias’ rhythmic footwork, graceful arm and hand movements, and hand clapping will be accompanied by the powerful strumming and soulful chords of the guitar to express a wide variety of styles, or palos, from the most serious cante jondo, to the light-hearted cante chico.

Elias is a member of the Minnesota State Arts Board’s Juried Arts in Education Roster of Artists. She has taught at Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre and School, the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts, and the University of Minnesota. She also performs and choreographs with Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre. She recently presented, in conjunction with the Winona Public Library, “The Moon’s Desire,” a collaboration that revolved around the work of Spanish poet Federico Garcia Lorća.

Special guest singer Vicente Griego “is striking for his deep, sonorous wails that seem to come from a cavern, someplace deep within his soul” (Anna Poplawska, “Chicago Artist’s News”). Coming from New Mexico, Griego has devoted his life to the study of cante flamenco, the art of flamenco singing. He has toured the U.S., Canada and Latin America with the Jose Greco II Flamenco Dance Company.

This is the third Saint Mary’s “Off The Page” event — a showcase of Minnesota artists featured in venues around town.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $5 for seniors and students and are available at the SMU Box Office, (507) 457-1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

Saint Mary’s is a fiscal year 2011 recipient of an Institutional Presenter Support grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is funded, in part, by the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on Nov.4, 2008.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University’s Department of Theatre and Dance and the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will conduct auditions for the Dance Repertory Company’s annual spring production of Le Corsaire, Friday, Jan. 20, at 4 p.m. at the Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 West 10th St.

The company is seeking intermediate and advanced ballet dancers, females with pointe experience, and community adults with stage or acting experience. Roles are available for those ages 13 and older. Younger students will participate by invitation only.

Interested candidates are asked to bring a photo of themselves, planning calendars, and proper shoes/attire to the audition.

The ballet Le Corsaire, loosely based on a poem by Lord Byron, follows Medora, a beautiful slave girl, and Conrad, a dashing pirate, as they journey through a tapestry of captive maidens, rich sultans, swashbuckling abductions, and dramatic rescues — all culminating in a happy ending. Originally choreographed by Marius Petipa to music by Adolfe Adam, Le Corsaire continues to delight audiences more than 150 years after its premiere. The DRC will be presenting Le Corsaire April 26‐28 at Saint Mary’s Page Theatre.

The Dance Repertory Company is the performing troupe of the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts of Saint Mary’s University. Company members participate in rehearsals, technique classes and stage performances. Past productions of the company include: The Firebird, Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Paquita, Cinderella, Excerpts from Swan Lake, Cinderella, Youth In Motion, Tappin' to Connick, Pure Entertainment, An Evening with Benny Goodman, among others.

Friday, January 13, 2012

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University business students raised $157 for the local chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Minnesota during the Fall 2011 academic semester. Each semester, undergraduate entrepreneurship students manage a not-for-profit retail store, aptly named the “Cardinal Corner,” located in the basement of the Toner Student Center.

Students choose products to sell in the store, garner donations from around campus, and sell items for on-campus organizations as part of the Entrepreneurship major at SMU.

Each semester the class chooses to donate their profits to a different charity. This semester, the class chose the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Minnesota. The LLS is the largest health agency devoted to blood cancers. Their mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s, and myeloma, and improve the quality of life for patients and families.

Students chose this organization because of a personal connection with fellow classmate, SMU senior Tony Olson. Tony’s grandfather passed away from leukemia in 2008. Olson’s family has been involved with LLS since his grandfather’s death.

Profits from previous semesters have also been donated to causes close to students’ hearts including: the Winona Area Humane Society, Haiti Medical Mission of Wisconsin, Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance, and Dom Dziecka, a children’s orphanage in Chotomów, Poland.

For more information on the Cardinal Corner or to present your request to the class to be considered as the charity of choice for the semester, contact Jana Craft, at (507) 457-1491 or jcraft@smumn.edu. Become a fan and receive the latest updates at www.facebook.com/cardinalcorner. For more information on the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, check out their website at www.lls.org.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

WINONA, Minn. — The Yuval Ron Ensemble will enlighten audiences with a mystical, spiritual and inspiring musical celebration Tuesday, Jan. 24, at Saint Mary’s University. This Page Series event is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in the SMU Performance Center.

The ensemble endeavors to alleviate national, racial, religious and cultural divides by uniting the music and dance of the opposing people of the Middle East. Throughout the program — “Seeker Of Truth” — the ensemble will perform the ecstatic music of the mystical Sufi traditions of the Middle East and Pakistan with the Whirling Dervish Aziz.

These Jewish and Arabic musicians, as well as Christian Armenian artists, have been actively involved in creating musical bridges between people of various faiths and ethnic groups worldwide. Led by Oscar-winning composer Yuval Ron (who composed music for “West Bank Story,” the Oscar-winning musical-parody of “West Side Story”) the ensemble features the oud, harmonium and woodwinds.

Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and students and are available online at www.pagetheatre.org or by calling the SMU Box Office (507) 457-1715 Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saint Mary’s is a fiscal year 2011 recipient of an Institutional Presenter Support grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is funded, in part, by the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on Nov. 4, 2008.

Additionally, members of the ensemble will present a lecture and demonstration about the history of their instruments, including the oud, from 9th Century Bagdad to Andalusia. Several songs will be performed. This event – free and open to the public – will be held 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23, at the Winona County History Center, 160 Johnson St. These “Page in History” events are made possible through funding from the Xcel Energy Foundation and Winona Community Foundation.

It is with deep sadness that we inform you that Brother Michael Collins, FSC ’59, M’65, Ed.D., a current and long-time Saint Mary’s University Trustee, died from cancer on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012.

Brother Michael was serving as president and chief academic administrator of DeLaSalle High School in Minneapolis. He was a prominent national figure in Catholic, secondary education throughout his distinguished 53-year career. Saint Mary’s University awarded Brother Michael with an honorary Doctorate of Leadership and Service at the 2011 Founder’s Day ceremony.

Visitation will be Friday from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. (with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m.) at DeLaSalle High School. The funeral Mass will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis (with visitation one hour before Mass). A reception at DeLaSalle High School will follow the Mass.

The Saint Mary’s community extends its sympathy to Brother Michael’s family, to the Christian Brothers of the Midwest District, to the DeLaSalle High School community, and to Brother Michael’s Saint Mary's classmates.

Tuesday, January 03, 2012

WINONA, Minn. — The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts announces the semester II registration open house, Thursday, Jan. 5, from 4 to 7 p.m., at the Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 West 10th St.

Registration for Semester II dance and music programming as well as the new visual art division classes will be accepted at the open house. Tours of the facility will be available, refreshments will be served, and students will have the opportunity to meet new and returning faculty and staff. Additionally, students can be fitted for all their dance attire needs at the open house. MCA’s dance attire boutique offers quality basics for children including leotards, tights, ballet slippers, jazz shoes, and tap shoes.

Dance class offerings, beginning Jan. 9, are available for ages 3 to adult and include beginning through advanced levels in classical ballet, tap, jazz, creative movement and modern, hip hop, and a special tuition free boys and men dance program. MCA dance division offers students exciting technique classes and performance opportunities in a nurturing and rigorous but non-competitive environment. Semester II also provides programming specifically for beginning teens and adults by offering classes in partnership with Winona County Community Education, including: Clogging I, Clogging II, Nia, Power Piyo, Teen and Adult Ballet, and Teen and Adult Tap and Jazz. Parents who have a child enrolled in a semester II class at MCA may participate in an adult class or choir tuition-free through the MCA Adult Arts Wellness program.

Academic credit is available to high school and college students through Cotter High School and Saint Mary’s University for a variety of MCA classes. Intermediate and advanced dancers ages 13 to adult are encouraged to audition for MCA’s Dance Repertory Company Spring concert, Le Corsaire. Roles are also available for community adults. Auditions are Friday, Jan. 20, 4 p.m., at the Valéncia Arts Center.

MCA Music division offerings include Creative Music and Movement for children ages 3 to 4 years old, Winona Area Youth Singers, for students in grades 4-8, a new beginners Guitar class for ages 15 to adult, a Flute Choir for ages 16 to adult, and private instrumental lessons in flute, clarinet, saxophone, violin, cello, piano, guitar, banjo, mandolin, and voice.

MCA Semester II programming provides 4 to 15 weeks of instruction depending on specific course/activity registered for. Dance classes conclude with a demonstration week, March 19-24. Those dancers in the Dance Repertory Company spring concert, Le Corsaire will perform April 27 and 28 at Saint Mary’s University Page Theatre. Winona Area Youth Singers, members of the MCA flute Choir and selected instrumental lesson students will conclude the semester with the MCA music division spring concert, April 23. Beginner and intermediate music lesson students will have the opportunity to perform in an informal concert on March 1. All music division concerts will be held at MCA’s Valéncia Arts Center Recital Hall.

Tuition for MCA programming varies depending on course length and level. Discounts and scholarships are available. This activity is made possible in part by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board, through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature from the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on Nov. 4, 2008.

About Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is dedicated to advancing the educational and career goals of today’s students. Saint Mary’s has almost 5,700 students enrolled in undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs in Winona, the Twin Cities, greater Minnesota, Wisconsin and Nairobi, Kenya.

At Saint Mary’s 100-year-old residential campus in Winona, the undergraduate College curriculum combines traditional liberal arts and sciences with career preparation in a student-centered environment.

The Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs is one of the largest graduate schools in Minnesota. A pioneer in outreach education since 1984, the SGPP creates communities of learning when and where they are needed, serving both adult learners and the educational needs of society.